Charles christian



(No Model.)

0. CHRISTIAN. GATE.

Patented May 9, 1893.

I IU 75 4772 eaws;

W f m w w a U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES CHRISTIAN, OF CLINTON, KANSAS.

GATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,858, dated May 9, 1893.

Application filed July 8, 1892. Serial No. 439,318- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

- Be it known that I, CHARLES CHRISTIAN, of Clinton, Douglas county, Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gates, of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to structures for closing entrance openings in fences, walls, and similar situations, and the objects of my invention are to produce a gate which shall be simple, strong, durable, light, and inexpensive in construction, and also neat in appearance, and which shall automatically close, and furthermore, automatically rise, when opened, so as to clear obstructions such as snow, tall grass and the like, which would otherwise interfere with the free opening and closing of the gate. I

A still further object of my invention is to produce a gate which, in addition to the advantages above described, shall be so constructed that the tension of its parts can readil y be varied as circumstances may require.

To the above purposes, my invention consists in certain peculiar and novel features of construction and arrangement, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a gate embodying my invention; the gate being shown in closed position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the gate opened, and showing, also, the post 2 therefor, as viewed transversely of the roadway. Fig. 3 is a plan view of that part of the gate which is adjacent to its hinges, and of the post to which the gate-frame is hinged; the gate being shown as closed.

In the said drawings, 1 designates the post to which the gate is hinged, and 2 the post against which the gate'frame closes; these posts being either of wood or metal as preferred, and being set vertically a suitable distance from each otherin accordance with the length of the gate-frame. Into the inner side of the post 1 are driven two, or any other suitable or preferred number of hooks 3, each of which is surrounded by one of a corresponding number of eyes 4. which project outwardly from the adjacent side of the hingebar 5 of the gate-frame; this hinge-bar 5 occupying a vertical position beside the post 1, and being either of wood or of metal, as preferred.

6 designates the opposite end-bar of the gate-frame, this bar being also either of wood or metal, as preferred, and being shown as corresponding in length with the hinge-bar 5. Four or any other suitable or preferred number of eyes 7 project outwardly from the inner side of the bar 6, and into these eyes are inserted the ends of a corresponding number of wires 8 which extend parallel with each other and longitudinally of the gate-frame. The ends of the wires 8 are twisted, as shown at 10, so as to secure a firm connection of the wires with the eyes 7. The opposite ends of the wires 8 are similarly inserted through a corresponding number of eyes 9 which project from the inner side of the hinge-bar 5; the ends of said wires being likewise twisted, as at 10, to insure a firm connection of the wires with the eyes 9.

11 designates a brace and locking bar which may be either of wood or of metal, as preferred, and which extends'from the lower end of the hinge post 1 obliquely upward to a point about midway the height of the opposite end bar 6 of said gate-frame. At its lower end, this oblique bar is provided with a downwardly and outwardly extending hook 12 which is surrounded by an eye 13 projecting outwardly from the lower end of the post 1. At its opposite end the bar 11 is formed with a suitable handle 11, and near said end, the bar 11 is formedwith a number'of holes 14,

which are arranged longitudinally thereof,

and through one or another of which extends a removable bolt 15; this bolt extends also through the end bar 6 of the gate-frame, and is retained in the desired position by-a nut 16 which is screwed upon one end of the bolt. It will be seen that the tendency of the oblique bar 11 is to strain the wires 8 longitudinally and thus retain the gate in its proper shape when the gate is closed, while when the gate is opened, the bar tends to throw the outer end of the gate-frame upward, as hereinafter more fully explained. At suitable points between the end bars 5 and 6 of the gate-frame,

are interposed two, or any other suitable or preferred number of vertical and parallel cross-bars 16; said bars being either of wood or metal, as preferred. At one side, each of these bars is provided with four, or any other suitable or preferred number of eyes 17 through which the wires 8 of the gate-frame are looped, as at 18; these cross-bars l6 serve to stiifen and strengthen the gate frame.

Upon one side of the post 2 is secured a latch-- pin 19, the outer end of which is preferably extended slightly downward; the pin itself extending horizontally outward from the post 2, as shown, and the under side of said pin is engaged by the upper side of the outer end of the oblique bar 11, when the gate is closed.

Now, from the above description, it will be seen that when the gate is closed, it is retained so by the outer end of the oblique bar 11; the straining of the gate-frame holding the outer end of the oblique bar firmly beneath the latch-bar 19 and the slight downward curvature of the outer end of said latchbar preventing the gate from accidentally opening or from being pushed open by animals. When a person desires to open the gate, he presses down upon the handle 11 of the bar 11, depressing the bar below the bent outer end of latch-bar 19, and moves the outer end of the gate-frame away from the post 2. As soon as the person has thus opened the gate, the tension of the wires 8 raises the outer end of the gate-frame, causing said gate-frame to clear all obstructions and to open freely, After the gate has been opened fully and released, it will close automatically, and the person has only to depress the outer end of'the bar 11 beneath the latch-pin 19 to lock the gate.

It will thus be seen that I have produced a gate which is simple, strong, compact, light, and durable in construction, easily operated, and which is also capable of being applied to a great variety of situations.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A gate, comprising two end-bars connected together by longitudinally extending wires, a hinge-post adjacent to one end bar and a latch post adjacent to the other end bar, and an obliquely arranged straining and latch-bar extending from the lower end of the hinge post to a point about midway the height of, and adj ustably connected to the opposite end-bar of the gate, substantially as set forth.

2. A gate, comprising two end-bars connected pivotally together by a number of longitudinally extending wires, a number of parallel bars interposed between the end-bars and connected to said wires, a hinge-post adjacent to one end-bar, and a latch-post adjacent to the other end-bar, and an obliquely arranged straining and latch-bar extending from the lower end of the hinge-post to a point about mid way the height of and pivotally and adjustably connected to the opposite end bar of the gate, substantially as set forth.

3. Agate, comprising two posts or uprights, a hinge-bar forming one end of the gate-frame and hinged to one of the posts, a closing bar forming the opposite end of the gate-frame, a number of wires connecting the hinge-bar and closing-bar, number of parallel bars connected to the wires at points between the hinge and closing bars, alatch-pin secured to one of the posts, and an oblique straining and latch bar hinged to the lower end of the hingepost, and extending obliquely upward to a point about midway of the height of the closing-bar and secured adjustable to said closing-bar and also engaging the latch-pin, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES CHRISTIAN.

Witnesses:

NELSON EVANS, WILLIAM DAVIS. 

